Phase 1 and Phase 2 of Home Improvements FINISHED!

Joe and I recently decided to take on some home improvement projects. Once we finally decided what we were going to take on I thought to myself, "wow, this is going to be a lot of work and I am going to have to invoke my (rarely used) patience." Guess what? It has proven to be true it is a lot and we are only finished with Phase 1 and Phase 2 with Phase 3 and Phase 4 to be started this week. Below are pictures of Phase 1 and Phase 2. Phase 1 was replacing the tile that surrounded our fireplace with stone. We are very pleased with the results. Phase 2: consisted of Joe tearing out the kitchen floor and literally pulling 5,000 staples from the floor one at a time. We hated the kitchen floor but we could never decide on a tile. We finally decided on tile and after a long long long weekend and some help from some people who know how to put down tile the job is complete! Phase 3 will be replacing all oak trim (baseboards and casing) with white trim. Phase 4 is new carpet in the upstairs and stairway. Hopefully by end of February I will have my house back. Right now, it is a MESS!!

You can see the old flooring in this picture.

New floor!!

Keenan wanted to help. We are also replacing the tile in the front entry way. The picture with Keenan shows the old tile that we are tearing up. (and when I say we I mean Joe although I did grout the kitchen tile). I didn't get a picture of the fireplace with the blue/gray tile that was on it. This is the best before picture I had.

You don't want to get tangled up with this . . .

Keenan had his first wrestling tournament today (or as Kira kept calling it "The Big Smack Down." It was pretty funny listening to her give him pep talks throughout the day). Keenan did a great job. Joe and I could not have been more proud of his efforts. He took third place. He wrestled all the way to the end and never gave up. He wrestled some kids that were pretty good and not as new to wrestling as he is. The Manhattan Optomist Wrestling Club coaches have been doing a great job with Keenan. I am amazed at how much he has learned in such a short period of time. He cooperated for the picture above but then insisted that he get another picture taken of him doing his "game face."

I also scored wrestling points today as I wrestled Keylee the entire day at the tournament. It was a long (but super fun) day.

CELEBRATING 13 YEARS OF MARRIAGE

Today Joe and I celebrate 13 years of marriage. It is hard to believe 13 years ago we were walking down the aisle. I do remember that it was a beautiful day, no snow, no wind and warm (for December anyway).

(picture if from our trip to Vegas this past summer)

Peugh Christmas

We had Christmas afternoon at Grandma and Umpa Peugh's house (my parent's home).

They kids all got new boots! A closer look at Keylee's new boots

Keylee and her new Dance Around Dora and her new Tutu.

Keenan and his cousin Gage.

Christmas 2009

I wanted to take some pictures before heading to Christmas Eve Mass. As you can see, I had some cooperation at the beginning. With each picture I managed to lose one child at a time. I guess I should have taken the family picture first.

Keylee demanded I put down the camera.

Keenan had enough already. . .

Schartz Christmas

Christmas Eve at Grammy and Papa Schartz house.

Keenan with his Uncle Mike

Keylee with her cousin Preston Keylee with her Aunt Tammy

Finally got a Wii

Santa brought the kids a Wii this year and Keenan is trying to explain to Keylee how to play the game. I was impressed with Keenan's patience because our two year old (Keylee) really didn't understand a word he was saying.